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LONDON REVIEW;

OR,

NOTICES OF RECENT PUBLICATIONS,

Foreign and Domestic.

QUID SIT PULCHRUM, QUID TURPE, QUID UTILE, QUID NON.

FOREIGN.

De Fontibus et Auctoritate vitarum parellelarum Plutarchi Commentationes quatuor; Auctore Herren.Four Commentaries on the Sources whence Plutarch derived his parallel Lives of eminent Men. By Herren. Gottingen.

The author of the present learned enquiry, the disciple and friend of Heyne, is placed by the Germans among the most illustrious of their writers. He has devoted ten years of toil and application in tracing the sources from which Plutarch derived his information; and the result of his researches forms the subject of the work before us. It must be confessed, that the task was of a most arduous nature, and that the writer who engaged in it, whatever might be his talents, was frequently placed under the necessity of substituting conjecture for certainty. Plutarch does not always inform us who the authors were to whom he was indebted; and even if he had done so, we, who are so far removed from the scene, cannot easily ascertain what degree of credit is due to their authority; and it is doubtful whether Plutarch himself was not frequently placed in a similar situation. He was obliged, like all other historians, to rest many of his sentiments on the authority of tradition alone; and whatever means he might have possessed of appreciating the value of the traditions of his own time, we certainly can pretend to none. The advantages which literature derives, therefore, from such laborious enquiries, appear to us of a very uncertain character, and rather specious than real; for even where certainty is attained, we have not data sufficient to convince us that it is certainty, We regret that Germany should devote her intellectual might to such unprofitable speculations. But the character of a people always determines the character Eur. Mag. Vol. 82.

of their writers; and where objects of curiosity are preferred to objects of knowledge, genius must decline from the path which nature points out, and yield to the ascendancy of fashion and the predominance of circumstances. On the whole, it may be said, that Plutarch was a much better judge of the authenticity of the writers, from whom he drew his information, than we can be; and therefore, if we will not trust in him until we know the value of his authority, we must always remain sceptics. Those, however, who are enamoured of this species of writing, will find the researches of Mr. Herren well worthy of their attention, They can. not but admire the spirit of investigation that characterizes his enquiries: but when they close the work they must confess, that they have more cause to admire the ingenuity of the writer than to congratulate themselves on the accession, which they have made to their stock of kuowledge. Herren has done, perhaps, what could be done :

Si pergama dextra potuissent, hac defensa videbo;

but the subject was unmanageable; for all that the most laborious and diligent antiquary will ever be able to effect, cannot reach farther than to shew the probable degree of eredit, that ought to attach to each particular biography.

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Their principal merit consists in the originality and judgment with which he has delineated the human character. Many of these dramas are translated from the Italian, French, English, and German, the last of which possess a very particular merit from the fidelity with which they are translated. Each is preceded by a biographical notice of its original author, a review of the piece itself, and a critical dissertation on his other works. The first volume contains the history of the foundation and progress of the Polish theatre, concluding with a biographical notice of one or other of the principal actors either dead or retired from the stage.

The author has neglected nothing to render this edition of his works worthy of public interest. The type is extremely beautiful, and the impression taken off with the greatest care, a circumstance the more remarkable, as the art of printing has been a long time neglected in Poland. The merit of this improvement is entirely due to M. Glucksberg, who, assisted by a corrector of the press from Firmin Didot, at Paris, has succeeded almost in equalling the beauty of execution which distinguishes the works of that celebrated printer.

Alga Aquatica: -The Aquatic Herbs found on the Coasts of Jever and Eastern Frieseland, collected and dried by O. H. B. Jurgens, 21 pages, folio, containing 100 dried sea weeds.

M. Jurgens merits the gratitude of every lover of botany, particularly of those who live far from the sea, as he offers them, at a small expense, the means of supplying an important desideratum in almost all our herbals. In forming the collection of so great a quantity of plants, he had more than one difficulty to surmount, particularly in preparing them for preservation. They are dried with extreme care, and placed between two blank leaves, accompanied with a Latin description of their physical virtues. The weakest of these weeds are pasted on a detached leaf of paper, and the most tender on a leaf of Muscovy glass.

Symbolik and Mythologik :-The Symbols and Mythology of Ancient States, particularly the Greeks. By Frederick Creutzer. 11 vols. second edition. Leipsick.

M.Creutzer, justly celebrated for his

lectures at the university of Heidelberg, has created a new era in the study of mythology. It is no longer an incoherent series of ingenious fables, but a complete system of useful fictions, entirely founded on agricultural notions, or moral precepts. It is philosophy divesting itself of its metaphysical abstractions, and assuming a sensible appearance through the intervention of images, sometimes speaking a language intelligible even to the vulgar, but always preserving its native majesty. In developing this novel science, the discovery of which belongs exclusively to M. Creutzer, his lectures excited the enthusiasm and astonishment of his numerous auditors. The first edition of this work obtained for its ingenious author considerable celebrity; and a second being called for, it has been given with so many improvements, that it may be justly called a new work. The author has diligently availed himself of all that has recently been published in England and France, and has ventured no assertion that is not founded in fact. His authorities are always authors of the greatest respectability, from whose labours he has formed a pandect, hitherto a desideratum in the sciences,

Tentamen de Archita Tarentini vitâ et operibus, &c.-An Essay on the Life and Writings of Architas, of Tarentum. By Joseph Navarro, of Naples.

When we reflect how seldom diplomatists withdraw themselves from the splendid frivolities of courts to serious contemplation, and how small a portion of their time is devoted even to the science of politics, a science with which, of all others, they should be best acquainted, the work before us may be considered unique in its kind. Its author, who was attached to the Neapolitan embassy of the court of Copenhagen, resisting the seductions of courtly pleasures, performed not only what his public situation required, but has treated in this work a public thesis in such a manner as to obtain the degree of professor of philosophy in the Danish university. His example may serve to convince us, that the bustle and toil, inseparable from the duties of a public situation, cannot stifle that energy of mind which seeks to signalize itself in pursuits foreign to our immediate avocations; pursuits which have other objects than that of disturbing the happiness of mankind.

Memoria premiada por la Junta Suprema de Caridad.-Memoir of the Treatment of the Poor at their own Habitations. By J. A. Piquer. 1 vol. 8vo. Madrid.

This memoir obtained the prize, offered by the Supreme Committee of the Charitable Institutions of Madrid, for the best work on this subject. The author, who is physician to the Royal Family, has dedicated his work to the sovereign Congress of the Cortes. Besides the Memoir, it contains a Review of eleven other memoirs, presented to the Committee for the prize, with a Reply to the Objections, published by J. V. C. in 1819. Doctor Piquer maintains, that poor patients are much better treated at their own houses, or in any private bouse, than in hospitals however well directed and administered; a fact which he proves, not only by the authority of writers, but by the practise which was commenced at Madrid, January 1, 1811, and followed in many other cities of Spain.

Della Letteratura Italiana :-Of Italian Literature during the latter part of the Eighteenth Century. By Camillo Ugoni. 2 vols. 12mo. Brescia, 1821.

The author of this work, a young writer of a distinguished family in Brescia, is a zealous advocate of useful studies, independent thoughts, and sound logic. The two volumes already published contain the lives of nineteen Italian writers of the eighteenth century, with a critical examination of their works. It is expected that the work will extend to several other volumes, and it promises a great variety of intelligence, as the author does not strictly confine himself to the matter which his title announces. He first makes us acquainted with the sentiments of his authors, and the views which they have taken of the subjects on which they wrote, and then examines the subject himself. His investigation is always acute, and his thoughts generally original, not caring much whether they are sanctioned by the authority, or quadrate with the opinions of other writers. His manner, indeed, is peculiarly his own. After briefly relating the life of his author, he passes immediately to a critical review of his works, in which he distinguishes such of his opinions as can be traced only to himself, from those which are either

designed or accidental imitations of others. He also points out the subsequent improvements, which the arts and sciences derived from the original views and suggestions, and the controversies to which they gave rise, and concludes every article with the character of the author whose life it contains.

Notizie intorno alle opere, &c.— An Account of the Works of Gaudenzio Ferrari. By Gaudenzio Bordiga, 4to. Milan, 1821.

Ferrari holds the first rank after Leonardo da Vinci in the Lombard school of painting, and yet from the ignorance or hatred of Vassari, the historian of painters, the merits of Ferrari are unknown to those who derive their knowledge of the Ultramontane painters from books. Lanzi knows not whether to attribute this to Vassari's hatred, or his little acquaintance with Ferrari's merits; but the latter supposition appears to us the more probable; for though Vassari cannot always be depended upon, his errors may, in general, be traced to unmerited praise rather than to unmerited censure. Though himself a painter of inconsiderable merit, he seems to have been characterizes the minds of inferior ar at least superior to that jealousy which tists; and he takes every opportunity of extolling his own countrymen, parsible, however, though we have no ticularly his contemporaries. It is posauthority for supposing it, that some private pique might exist between him and Ferrari. Whatever be the cause, the merits of this celebrated painter, who was at once the friend and fellowlabourer of Raphael, are unknown; except to those who have other sources of information than books, and therefore we look upon the present work, in which his memory is recovered from unmerited oblivion, to be one of the most useful accessions which Italy has made to her modern literature for many years.

Storia Universale dell' Indostan, &c.-Universal History of Hindostan, from the Year 1500 before the Christian era, to the Year 1819, compiled by Leopoldo Sebastian, with a Topographical Map. 8vo. 1822.

The author divides this work into four parts. In the first he determines the position of Hindostan, the origin of its inhabitants, its religion, its sciences,

and particularly its astronomy, with the arts and physical qualities of the country. In the second, he traces the history of Hindostan from the expedition of Sesostris to that of the Portuguese. The third contains the conquests which have been successively made from the year 1000, by Mahmud Gazni, GeugisChan, Tamerlane, Nadir-Shah, &c. In the fourth he describes all the military and political events of this country, from the year 1747 to 1818. The author informs us, that he was ten years in Turkey, five in Persia, and as many in India, and yet he never speaks from his own observations. The language alone can properly be called his own: the matter would seem to have been communicated to him by another, To form a just estimation of the spirit which characterizes the present work, it is sufficient to read the last chapter, in which he labours to justify the conduct of the European conquerors in this part of the world. He is decidedly hostile to the religious toleration of the Indians.

Viaggio al lago di Como, &c.Travels to the Lake of Como. By Davide Bertolotti, &c. Como, 1821.

The writer of the present work has differed from all former travellers to this noted lake, by giving his descriptions a dramatic form. In the character of an old soldier, he traverses the various scenes which he has made the subject of his observations; and entertains his readers with the conversa, tions, which are supposed to have taken place between himself and various per, sons, whom he encountered in his per ambulations. Whatever the scenes inspire are happily mingled with his descriptions, and he joins to ancient whatever is remarkable in modern history. To encrease the interest of his work, he intersperses it with poetical quotations, which are, perhaps, too abundantly disseminated. Among many interesting episodes, we may particularly point out that which relates the loves and adventures of Vincenzo and Rosalie, chap. x. p. 164. The work concludes with some general observations on the civil and natural state of

Como and its lake.

Elementi di Poesia, &c.-Principles of Poetry for the use of Schools. Compiled by Giovanni Gherardinini. Milan.

It is unnecessary to offer any opinion on the importance of this subject. The

title indeed is simple, and the voluine is small, but the subject is analyzed and explained in the spirit of true philosophy. The author endeavours to shew, that whatever is excellent in the romantic, or modern school of poetry, was already known and practised by the classics, and that all beyond this is licentiousness and delirium. In the tenth and eleventh chapters he points out particularly the inconveniences of the modern school, and shews that it has as yet met with no success in Italy,

Poesie, &c.-Poems of the Marquis Giuseppe Antinori. Pisa, 1821.

The Marquis of Giuseppe is author of a translation of the Idyls of Gesner. The present poems rank high among the lyrics which are now flourishing on the Italian Parnassus, they are remarkable for the vivacity of their images, and for the beauty of their style.

De l'Economie Publique et Rurale des Perses et des Pheniciens, &c.

Of the Public and Rural Economy of the Persians and Phenicians. By L. Reynier. I vol. 8vo. Paris.

This is the second volume of the important work undertaken by Reynier a few years ago. The people, of whose political and rural economy it treats,

are esteemed the most ancient in the world. The author, however, does not strictly confine himself to them, but extends his inquiries to the various nations which, under different names, have flourished in the countries comprehended between the Euphrates and the Indus, and between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulph. After perusing the work with the most critical attention, we think the learned author has surmounted almost all the difficulties which he had to oppose. As an able critic he has travelled through the night of time, and traversed an extensive circuit, over which the reader accompanies him with encreasing interest and pleasure.

The work is divided into three parts. In the first the author takes a rapid view of the antiquities of Asia anterior to historic times, from which it appears that astronomic science had made considerable progress in that country; and that an enlightened period, of which history has preserved no recollection, preceded that state of ignorance in which we find almost all the Asiatic nations at present. In the second part,

the author confines himself to the Persians. He inquires into their political organization, religious institutions, finances, commerce, industry, and agriculture. In the third part he treats of the Phenicians, their origin, political existence, agriculture, and useful arts.

The extensive empire, to which Zoroaster gave laws, has been successively the theatre on which the Assyrians, the Medes, the Persians, and the Parthians, have displayed their prowess. This succession of revolu tions which has always been more or less disastrous, those changes of grandeur and of calamity, those catastrophes which have been equally experienced by dynasties, languages, laws, and customs, manifest the dismemberment of a great federal constitution, of which the different nations of which it was composed exhibit, in their turn, ancient pretensions to universal dominion; and, at the same time, the impossibility of tracing the origin of either; of reconciling their respective histories; and of becoming acquainted with their particular institutions. The reign of Cyrus was that of military discipline; that of Alexander the era of diversity of interests and opinions among the numerous provinces of the Persian empire. With out manifesting much admiration of the hero of the Cyropedia, without magnifying the exploits of this auda cious warrior, who trampled on the most sacred institutions of his country; who, instead of a representative government, which is the only safeguard of liberty and of laws, established the despotism of an individual, the right of conquest, and the enjoyment of all places of emolument and power: Reynier represents him such as he really was, and strips him of that imposing crown which the adulation of servile writers placed on his head, thereby confirming the legitimacy of conquest and usurpation. This part of the work is particularly worthy the attention of those who devote themselves to the science of politics.

It is painful to see that so learned and critical a writer should have so completely lost bimself in treating of religion. He implicitly adopts the absurd doctrine of astrology as laid down in the writings of Dupuis. He quotes the authority of Strabo, who assures us that the disciples of Zoroaster adored the sun; but in no part of the works of this great reformer of the Persian religion do we find any mention of the worship of the stars. On the contrary, he speaks throughout of the worship of one God, Lord of all things, whose

power and beneficence had been pro claimed long before him by Heomo, the legislator of ancient Asia. The pri mitive religion of the Persians was purely theocratic, or, if they admitted two sorts of spirits, the Ehoromez-duo, or good spirits, and the Ahriman, or evil spirits; they regarded them rather as intermediate agents between the Deity and man, than as all-powerful beings.

With regard to the system of finance, it has experienced many changes, and has been always determined by the po litical vicissitudes of states. Under the despotic government of the Assyrians, all the tribes were successively reduced to the same level, after being devoured by extortions of every description. Under the military domination of the Medes, the Satraps, who never moderated their expenses, exhausted the entire of the public reve nue, and the property of those who were unfortunately subjected to their dominion. Under the Persians, the government being originally military, whence it naturally passed to despotism, passive obedience became the basis of discipline; and the primitive vices of the administration were pre served, or more properly legalized. The treasures of the Persian kings bel came useless heaps in their hands, which circulation would have converted into productive wealth. Their stag, nation rendered them useless to the nation, and fatal to Xerxes, to Darius, and to his successors.

As to agriculture, it was held sacred; and the laws protected the labours of the husbandman, and the produce of his labour, even in time of war. Xenophon erroneously attributes this protection to the laws of Cyrus. It was the same many ages before him. In fact, the great fertility of Persia, that abundance and variety of its produce, which was so much admired by the Greeks, whose exiguous territory presented no similar advantages; in a word, the flourishing state of the first of arts became a part of the most ancient institutions of Asia. Agriculture and the multiplication of the species were particularly encouraged by the first legis lators of Persia. The same precept is recommended in the Zend-Avesta, which must have been written upwards of two thousand years ago. This les son, which was handed down from the remotest times, was preserved in all the vicissitudes of the state, and so strongly implanted in the minds of the Persians, that even now, after all the changes which husbandry has under

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